Conflict. Is it the ravenous flames of destruction or the purifying fires of rebirth? 

We've all witnessed conflict. Whether it be a slightly-larger kid slapping the apple out of the hand of another, an argument of rather harsh words, or a full scale war involving the deaths of hundreds. 

Our society seems to revolve around this concept, rotating on axes of war and peace. Full scale wars wipe out a generation, removals can create a power void in a city, and rogues can target individuals of great power or ideological importance. However, these actions in the scheme of things appear as the action of drawing a line in the sand. The line will stay, albeit temporarily, until the next wave washes in. Does that make the conflict worthless? The deaths of those individuals in the pursuit of 'progress.' At what point can it be justified? How can it be justified? Actions in the short term appear much more rational before they are put in the long term. Perhaps, the effect over time just fades.

Maybe our society lacks endurance. For example, we'd basked in the golden era of peace for quite a while. Then the whispers of the void echoed. It took some time, but the whispers turned into screams as molten lead left the chambers of dozens of guns. When the dust settled, a very large count of individuals were fallen. 

I am not here to say those deaths were necessary, nor am I here to say those deaths were unnecessary. I am not here to say who should take their place, nor advocate for those positions to be left open for eternity. That is not my intention. My intention is to question the very nature of this system.

Should our society exist in this cyclical nature of life and death? As mobsters, we grow to appreciate the very fine line between the two, and thus value so much more this delicate concept of life. But, we also recognize the inevitability of death. This paradox seems rooted directly in our society. Thus, it becomes less a question of how, but why?

Is dying in a war more admirable than retiring from the business and coasting to death in a separate sense?

If we are constantly tensed in a state of war or preparing for a state of war, how can that behavior create a situation in which people grow accustomed to or can value an era of peace?

The man who sleeps with one eye open is quite prepared to defend an attack, but perhaps by this perpetual state of unrest he actually brings himself closer to death through disrupting his sleep.

Feel free to answer any of my questions, or none at all. 

I have to say Mr. Strigliori I sat and pondered your questions here today trying to formulate answers to as many I could. My personal opinion on our world's cycle of life and death isn't a matter of should our society exist in this nature but could we truly continue without it. Picture this if you will, if everyone in power had to stay in power until they died of old age meaning they cannot be killed or retire. Then whoever takes over them also had to and keep repeating that cycle.... You would never see significant change of any capacity, right? Our society would become incredibly stale and if the wrong people were in power in this instance I think it could potentially created a nightmarish working environment.

Why do we do most of the things we do? Because we can be killed. It may be a twisted outlook on our world but I think death is equally as important as life. It keeps our society moving. 

When we talk about how people leave this world I will always stand by the idea that dying in a war fighting for your family, district, and/or city is a death of the highest honor. I will admit that I think the term retirement has been used loosely to describe quitting versus an actual retirement. If you have a Godfather who has lead a city or district for a long time and decides he or she can no longer lead for whatever reason. In that case that is an admirable retirement. The same can be extended for crewleaders and hands also. Even if the person isn't in leadership if they worked hard for their family and finally got to a point where they could not anymore.. That retirement is admirable. Someone who leaves this life of old age is someone to be respected. Especially if they recognized that they cannot continue to serve as they once did. In a nutshell I think death and retirement have aspects that are admirable in their own regard.

I believe that peace time is also an important thing. It fosters a certain kind of growth that we don't see when there is frequent fighting. Godfather JackMezzo's boxing tourney is an example of an event that took place during this last time of peace. We will always be doing things to prepare for war or an attack. That is just something we all do. It is when we can say things like "we'll see you tomorrow" versus wondering if there is a tomorrow.  

Rebecca sat on a a pile of wooden pallets and listened to her crew leader speak.  In some regards it rang of similarity to the questions posed by the Godfather earlier.  The middle aged woman considered Arturo's words.  She was very new to this thing of theirs and considered remaining quiet on such matters.  After all, speaking before gaining the appropriate knowledge often made one to look the fool.  On the other hand, conflict was not isolated to these shores.  Conflict was a part of life and she did have some knowledge about that.

"Conflict is a part of life.  It can serve many purposes.  It can be a source of creation and a source of destruction.  When my knife is dull I must slide it's iron edge against another piece of iron.  If I don't do this, the blade becomes dull and the knife is useless.  It is the very act of destruction that brings new life to the blade.  On the opposite side of that coin we can see how nooks and crannies in cement can allow water to enter.  Then when it freezes the water expands.  Over and over this process can occur until one day you see a crack.  If left to itself, this conflict between the water and the stone will eventually result in the stone crumbling and wearing away."

Leaning back onto her hands she continued,  "Life is full of nuisances and the devil is in the details.  Who is the one dying and who is the one retiring?  What are the surrounding circumstances?  Who stands ready to rise up and take their place?  Who is lying in wait to seize upon a weakness?"  Such things are not answered easily until you are facing that situation with all the pieces of the puzzle laying on the table."